The federal government recommends that everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccination. Those between 6 months and 2 years, pregnant women, and people age 50 and over should get a shot that contains an inactive form of the virus. Older children and younger adults can get either the shot or nasal spray, which contains a live, weakened form of the virus. The ­nasal spray appears to work best in children
2 to 8 years old.

The Boston Public Health Commission is working with community health centers to offer free vaccination clinics this weekend at the following sites. For more information, go to the commission’s website at www.bphc.org.